2024-2025 Pierce College Catalog
Dental Hygiene (BASDH) Course Map
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Created by Pierce faculty, this map outlines the initial coursework for this career field. It provides you a clear path to complete your degree by listing a specific set of courses relevant to your program and career. The map is designed with the appropriate number of credits and meets degree requirements. Prerequisite courses are organized in a recommended sequence. If a course is unavailable, select the next appropriate course within the sequence. Dental Hygiene courses are arranged in a required sequence. For each course, a purpose statement explains how the content relates to your career field. On this map, there may be instances when you will be required to select a course from several options. Use these purpose statements and notes to choose the course that best aligns with your interests and needs. You will also find action items to complete to assure you progress and graduate on time.
While this map is a great guide to courses required to complete the Bachelor of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene, you are responsible for fulfilling all degree requirements.
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Licensure Eligibility Requirements
To practice as a dental hygienist in the state of Washington (WA), you must be licensed through the Washington State Department of Health. The Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 18.29 and the Washington Administrative Code, Chapter 246-815 (WAC) outline the practice, act, and licensure criteria for dental hygienists. Specifically, the Department of Health - Dental Hygiene Licensure site details the licensure requirements. In addition to earning your BASDH degree from the Pierce College Dental Hygiene Entry-level program, you will also be required to successfully pass the National Dental Hygiene Board Examination, the WA State Drug and Law exam, the WA state approved local anesthesia written and practical exams, a WA state approved restorative practical exam, and a WA state approved dental hygiene practical exam. Pierce College has not determined if our dental hygiene education program meets requirements for licensure outside of the state of Washington. Visit our NC-SARA Licensure Disclosure page for more information.
BAS Admissions
Students who have earned a baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by one of the following agencies will have met the general education requirements (basic and distribution areas) for an applied baccalaureate degree from a Washington State community or technical college. Students must still complete program-specific general education degree requirements if not otherwise satisfied.
- Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACCJC)
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) – Pierce College’s Accrediting Body
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
- WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
Grade Requirement
As Dental Hygienists have the privilege and responsibility to diagnosis and treat patients within their scope of practice, a minimum 2.5 GPA must be maintained throughout the program.
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Prerequisites for Bachelor of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene (BASDH)
Some prerequisite dental hygiene courses may require prerequisite courses prior to enrollment. These prerequisite courses vary from college to college and are not listed below. Completion of the prerequisite dental hygiene courses generally takes two years. Prerequisite dental hygiene courses NOT listed on our Prerequisite Course Guide will need to be approved prior to application. Completion of the prerequisite courses does not guarantee acceptance into the dental hygiene program. Minimum course GPA’s and other criteria must be met for eligibility to apply. Please see the program website at: BASDH Program Website
Optional for AA-DTA. Not required for application to the Dental Hygiene Program.
Humanities Choice (5 credits)
Social Science Choice (5 credits)
General Education Requirement (2-12 credits)
Number of credits is dependent upon whether the student needed to take CHEM&100 and/or BIOL &160 in addition to the dental hygiene required prerequisites.
Total Prerequisite Credits 71*
*68 credits - Students applying to the BASDH Program after completing the prerequisites at another college are not required to complete COLLG 110.
Total With Optional Credits 90
BASDH Curriculum and Program Hours
Hours/week are in-class hours. Upper-division courses (300 and 400 level) require two to three hours of study time per credit outside the in-class time for success. Lower-division courses (100-200 level) require one to two hours of study time per credit.
1. Summer Quarter - Junior Year - 14 credits (22 hours/week)
2. Fall Quarter - Junior Year - 17 credits (25 hours/week)
3. Winter Quarter - Junior Year - 16 credits (25 hours/week)
4. Spring Quarter - Junior Year - 16.5 credits (25 hours/week)
Total Credits Junior Year 63.5
5. Summer Quarter - Senior Year - 14 credits (22 hours/week)
6. Fall Quarter - Senior Year - 14.5 credits (25 hours/week)
7. Winter Quarter - Senior Year - 16 credits (28 hours/week)
8. Spring Quarter - Second Year - 15 credits (28 hours/week)
Total Credits Senior Year 59.5
Total Prerequisite Courses 71 (68*)
Total BASDH Courses, Excluding Prerequisites 123
Total BASDH Courses, Including Prerequisites 191 (188*)
ctcLink Plan Code: DEHDHBAS
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Return to: Healthcare Career Pathway
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